All requests for press credentials are subject to review/approval by ACR staff, and approval one year doesn’t guarantee approval the following. News outlets/publications that meet the following criteria are eligible to have up to two (2) employed journalists and/or freelancers apply for press credentials. Requests for additional registrations may be submitted to pr@rheumatoloy.org if a publication can show the volume of coverage planned requires additional team members.
If the outlet/publication a journalist is working for does not meet the following eligibility criteria, their request will be denied. Requirements include:
- The news outlets/publication must publish original, editorial news coverage about the practice of rheumatology regularly throughout the year in an ongoing news section. For the purpose of ACR press credentials, original editorial news coverage is considered original articles/videos developed by employed journalists to report facts, commentary, and subject matter expert quotes in a narrative form using a variety of sources (e.g., research, announcements, press releases, events, etc.).
- Advertisers, sponsors, paid editorials, and other funding sources must be clearly identified.
- Complete editorial freedom from advertisers, funders and/or sponsors is required - the determination to cover the event should be driven by the outlet/publication’s editorial focus and audience independent of external sponsorship or an organization paying for the content to be developed.
- No requirements for reprinting of slides, research studies, abstracts, and/or copyright privileges as part of working with the outlet/publication.
The following outlets/publications and individuals are not eligible for press credentials:
- Freelancers without an active work assignment from an eligible news outlet/publication and/or those who wish to attend the meeting to draft articles for pitching to publications after the event.
- Persons with exhibitor, vendor, or attendee registrations, and any personnel or companies working with said individuals to produce content at the meeting.
- Publishers or a publications’ advertising, marketing, public relations, sales, or circulation personnel and any other non-editorial function representatives.
- Scientific and medical journals that do not develop and publish original, editorial news coverage in a non-peer reviewed regular news section separate from its publication throughout the year.
- Industry/exhibitor’s press officers and their public relations consultants, communications firms, audio/video teams, etc. Exhibitors wishing to film marketing and public relations videos, such as KOLs, are allowed to do so at their booths during non-exhibit hall hours with written approval from the exhibit hall staff. Please contact Kelli Wondra at kwondra@rheumatology.org with requests and questions.
- Financial or business analysts.
- Companies that develop CME and other educational programs/events (including CME writers, editors, and individuals working on behalf of organizations that have written CME based on ACR/ARP meetings in the past).
- Executive/management personnel of outlets/publications and organizations.
- Companies/organizations and employees thereof, producing publications, videos, and/or other electronic media intended for internal use, marketing, advertising, financial analysis, or public relations purposes.
- Media/communications companies producing content that is sponsored by a single organization or whose revenue for the publication or issue of a publication depends solely on coverage of the ACR’s meeting.
- Media who produce a communications vehicle that uses the ACR’s name or logo to imply endorsement from the ACR.
NOTE: The ACR reserves the right to impose further limitations on the number of badges issued as necessary.
Special Considerations for Press Credentials
Bloggers
Bloggers wishing to be considered for press credentials must submit a letter that includes details about the blog’s audience, content focus, and minimum number of articles that will be produced. The required work samples must include copies of, or links to, recent rheumatology-related posts, and all blogs must demonstrate that original, editorial news coverage is disseminated throughout the year and that the blog has editorial freedom from advertisers and/or sponsors (single-sponsored blogs will not receive credentials; blogs with advertising must have multiple advertisers clearly identified).
Non-Writing Editors
An outlet/publication may send one non-writing editor if there is a plan in place to assign editorial coverage during or immediately following the meeting. The editor must submit an assignment letter on the publication’s letterhead that explains what their role is, what type of content they will be assigning, the minimum number of articles that will be produced, and their plans for disseminating the articles. A non-writing editor counts toward the maximum number of press registrations an outlet/organization can have.
Photographers/Videographers
Photographers, videographers, and/or other members of the multimedia team accompanying credentialed news outlets must submit an assignment letter with their registration that includes information about their specific role and the type of multimedia they will be creating. Photographer/videographer/multimedia registrations count towards the registrations allowed per organization.